PETA Wants Beer As Wis. State Beverage

Published 3:03 pm, Monday, April 25, 2016

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants Gov. Jim Doyle to change Wisconsin's official beverage from milk to beer, saying milk is harmful to humans and is meant for calves.

PETA said in a letter to Doyle Tuesday that beer is healthier than cow's milk, which the group argued could cause heart disease, cancer, allergies, diabetes and obesity.

Milk consumption causes dairy cows stress because they are kept in a constant state of impregnation, the letter said.

Cows also suffer because their calves are "ripped" away from them so humans can have the milk meant for the calves, PETA said.

PETA first came up with the beer-for-milk national campaign two years ago, but it was retired after being criticized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other groups. The animal rights group renewed the campaign last spring.

Doyle spokeswoman Jessica Erickson said Tuesday she had not seen the letter.